Grain cleaning system and method of controlling such

ABSTRACT

A grain cleaning system for a combine harvester having a transmitter adapted to transmit a base signal at a known frequency and one or more spaced receivers for detecting signals of a different frequency as reflected from airborne grain and other materials within the duct of the grain cleaning system. An Electronic Control Unit modulates the base signal and the reflected signals to obtain Doppler signals or frequencies from which an average particle velocity is determined. The particle velocity is used as an input parameter for the generation of control signals for the adjustment of various working units of the combine harvester including, by way of example, the fan and sieves.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to grain cleaning systems and particularly, but not exclusively, to grain cleaning systems provided in combine harvesters for the screening of clean grain from material other than grain in a harvested crop material stream. The invention also relates to a method of controlling a combine harvester having a grain cleaning system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The process of harvesting grain from crop fields has not changed substantially for many decades. Farmers use combine harvesters to cut a standing crop, thresh the crop material, separate the grain from the stem and clean the grain whilst returning the crop material residue onto the field. Typically, combine harvesters include threshing apparatus, separating apparatus and a grain cleaning system.

Grain cleaning systems utilise screening apparatus which typically includes one or more sieves driven in an oscillating motion. A mixture of grain, chaff, unthreshed heads and straw is delivered to an uppermost sieve upon which the mixture is conveyed across the surface thereof. Hereinafter the chaff and straw will be referred to as ‘MOG’, Material Other than Grain.

Generally speaking, clean grain finds its way down through the sieves to a collection trough. A fan is provided to generate a cleaning airstream through the cleaning apparatus. The cleaning airstream is directed through and/or over the sieves so as to lift and carry the MOG away from the surface of the sieves and eject it from the cleaning system. The sieves are generally set up to screen the unthreshed heads which are ‘returned’ as tailings to a rethreshing system.

Today it is known to provide combines with control systems that automatically adjust settings of the various crop processing apparatus. Such “auto-setting” functionality relieves the operator of making manual adjustments to optimise the harvesting process, wherein the optimum settings continuously change as harvest conditions vary. However, for reliable auto-setting operation an accurate representation of the current conditions within the various processing apparatus is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a grain cleaning system comprising screening apparatus having a duct and a sieve disposed in the duct, a fan arranged to generate a cleaning airstream through the duct, an ultrasonic sensing device having a transmitter configured to transmit a base signal through the cleaning airstream, and a receiver spaced from the transmitter and configured to receive and transduce a modified signal that comprises a modified portion of the base signal, and, an electronic control unit (ECU) that is in communication with the sensing device, the ECU being configured to generate control signals based upon a phase shift value which is determined from a base signal parameter and a modified signal parameter.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling a combine harvester which comprises a plurality of working units including a grain cleaning system, the method comprising transmitting an ultrasonic base signal through a cleaning airstream which passes through the grain cleaning system, receiving and transducing a modified signal that comprises a modified portion of the base signal, determining a phase shift value from a base signal parameter and a modified signal parameter, generating a control signal based upon the phase shift value, and controlling a work setting of one of the working units based upon the control signal.

Known grain cleaning systems with auto-setting functionality commonly utilise a fan speed setpoint as a control algorithm input. The invention involves the recognition that the fan speed setpoint may not be representative of the actual state (e.g. speed and direction) of the air flowing through the cleaning system and, in particular, the duct of the screening apparatus. For example, a high material volume in the cleaning system may significantly modify the airflow flowing through the duct leading to a reduced airspeed towards the rear of the sieve.

In a grain cleaning system according to the invention the speed or velocity of the airstream itself is determined using measurement of phase shift between a transmitted acoustic signal and a portion of the transmitted signal that is modified by the airstream. From a phase shift parameter an airstream velocity value can be calculated and used as an algorithm input for the control of the working units.

The sensing device may be positioned at least partially in a path of the cleaning airstream so that an accurate representation of the conditions in the airstream can be obtained and inputted to the ECU. The sensing device is preferably positioned completely in the path of the cleaning airstream.

Preferably, the receiver faces in a downstream direction with respect to the cleaning airstream so as to avoid interference caused by impact of the grain and MOG upon the receiver membrane. In such an arrangement the transmitter may be arranged to transmit the base signal in an upstream direction with respect to the cleaning airstream and toward a sensing part of the receiver.

The transmitter and receiver are preferably mounted together in a common sensing module. Advantageously, this simplifies assembly and maintains a fixed positional relationship between the transmitter and receiver.

In one embodiment the sieve is coupled to an oscillating drive mechanism, wherein the fan is located at an upstream end of the sieve, and wherein the cleaning airstream is directed through and/or over the sieve. The screening apparatus may comprise an upper sieve (or chaffer) and a lower sieve positioned below the upper sieve. The sieve or sieves may comprise a plurality or adjustable louvres that set the screening coarseness as is common in the art.

The duct may comprise a pair of sidewalls between which the sieve is located, a ceiling, and a floor. At least a portion of sensing device may be mounted to one of the pair of sidewalls. Alternatively, the sensing device may be mounted to a sieve frame that moves with the sieve, to the ceiling or may be suspended in the airstream intermediate the sidewalls, floor and ceiling.

The sensing device mounted to the sidewall may be positioned so as to reside above the sieve so as to interact with that part of the cleaning airstream that passes above the sieve. It is recognised that the speed of the cleaning airstream above the sieve is most representative of the state of the cleaning system. For example, in the event of the sieve becoming blocked, then the airstream and particles carried thereby are most affected above the sieve. However, the sensing device may alternatively be mounted below the sieve without deviating from the scope of the invention.

The ECU may be configured to determine an airstream velocity value from the phase shift value, and to generate the control signals based upon the airstream velocity value. The airstream velocity value may be representative of the average speed of the airstream detected by the sensing device and may be used as an input parameter for a fan control algorithm for example.

Although the receipt and transducing of one modified signal would provide enough information to determine a speed value for the cleaning airstream, in a preferred embodiment two receivers that are spaced apart would collect two modified signals to allow for the determination of a direction or vector of the cleaning airstream. In one example embodiment the sensing device comprises two receivers which are spaced from one another and both configured to transduce respective modified signals that each comprises a modified portion of the base signal, wherein the ECU is configured to determine first and second phase shift values each being based upon the base frequency and a respective one of the modified signals, and wherein the ECU is further configured to determine an air velocity tangent from the first and second phase shift values.

In another preferred embodiment the receiver is configured to transduce a reflected signal that is reflected off of airborne particles in the cleaning airstream, and wherein the ECU is configured to generate a particle velocity value from a Doppler frequency which is determined from a base signal frequency and a reflected signal frequency. Advantageously, the Doppler effect can be exploited to generate control signals that are based upon the speed of the particles moving in the cleaning airstream. The base signal is reflected off of moving particles in the duct which primarily consist of a proportional mix of grain and MOG that is either airborne or carried on the sieve. The reflected signal is detected by the receiver and one or more Doppler frequencies are determined from the frequency of the base signal and the frequency of the reflected signal. The control signals are generated based upon the Doppler frequency.

In yet another preferred embodiment the sensing device comprises a first transmitter configured to transmit a first base signal and a second transmitter configured to transmit a second base signal, wherein the Doppler frequency is determined from a first base signal frequency, and wherein the phase shift parameter is calculated from a modified signal that comprises a modified portion of the second base signal.

In one embodiment the ECU may be configured to generate a material throughput value based upon a particle velocity value, an airstream velocity value and a fan speed value, wherein the particle velocity value and the airstream velocity value are based upon the detection signals.

The grain cleaning system is preferably embodied in a combine harvester. However, it is envisaged that aspects of the invention may be embodied in alternative machines including stationary grain cleaning systems.

A combine harvester embodying an aspect of the invention preferably further comprises threshing apparatus and separating apparatus located upstream to the grain cleaning system with respect to a crop material flow.

Although control of the fan speed or sieve opening by control signals delivers significant advantages as described above, it is envisaged that the control signals may in addition, or instead, serve to control one of a concave adjustment and a rotor speed.

A grain return pan may be positioned below the separating apparatus and providing a ceiling of the duct. At least a part of the sensing device (a receiver for example) may be mounted to the underside of the grain return pan.

In another embodiment the combine harvester is provided with a display device that is in communication with the ECU. The display device may be configured to display a representation of the airstream velocity based upon the phase shift value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description of specific embodiments with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a combine harvester in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, shown with the side panels removed to reveal the inside processing systems;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the grain cleaning system in the combine harvester of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top-down view of the grain cleaning system of FIG. 2 viewed along the line III-III;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the grain cleaning system embodied in the combine harvester of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing more detail of the shoe sensing system included in the system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plot of the base signals transmitted and the reflected signals received by the shoe sensing system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in a Doppler shift mode;

FIG. 7 is a plot of the base signals transmitted and the modified signals received by the shoe sensing system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in a phase shift mode;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a method of controlling a combine harvester in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the grain cleaning system in the combine harvester of FIG. 1 but in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a top-down view of the grain cleaning system of FIG. 2 viewed along the line III-III but in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a top-down view of the grain cleaning system of FIG. 2 viewed along the line III-III but in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a sensing module which forms a part of the shoe sensing system of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the parameters involved with calculating an airstream velocity tangent using the apparatus of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention will now be described in connection with various preferred embodiments implemented on a combine harvester. Relative terms such as front, rear, forward, rearward, left, right, longitudinal and transverse will be made with reference to the longitudinal vehicle axis of the combine harvester travelling in the normal direction of travel. The terms “direction of conveyance”, “upstream” and “downstream” are made with reference to the general flow of crop material through the combine harvester, or to the cleaning airstream through the screening apparatus.

Although the embodiments described relate to a grain cleaning system in a combine harvester, it should be appreciated that aspects of the invention can be embodied in other grain cleaning systems such as stationary systems that may, for example, be located at a grain processing plant.

With reference to FIG. 1 a combine harvester 10 includes a frame or chassis 12, front wheels 14 and rear steerable wheels 16. A cutting header 17 is detachably supported on the front of a feederhouse 18 which is pivotable about a transverse axis to lift and lower the header 17 in a conventional manner.

The combine 10 is driven in a forward direction F across a field of standing crop in a known manner. The header 17 serves to cut and gather the crop material before conveying such into feederhouse 18 and elevator 19 housed therein. At this stage the crop stream is unprocessed. It should be understood that combine harvesters are employed to harvest a host of different crops including cereal, rice, corn and grass seed. The following description will make reference to various parts of the cereal crop stream but it should be understood that this is by way of example only and does not by any means limit the applicability of the invention to harvester other harvesting crops.

The cut crop stream is conveyed rearwardly from the feederhouse 18 to a processor designated generally at 20. In the illustrated embodiment the processor 20 is of the axial rotary type having a pair of axial-flow threshing and separating rotors 22 which are each housed side-by-side inside a respective rotor housing 23 and are fed at their front end by a feed beater 25. It should be appreciated that the right-hand rotor is hidden from view in FIG. 1. The rotors serve to thresh the crop stream in a front ‘threshing’ region, separate the grain therefrom in a rear ‘separating’ region, and eject the straw residue through the rear of the machine 26 either directly onto the ground in a windrow or via a straw chopper (not shown).

Each rotor housing 23 is generally cylindrical and is made up of an opaque upper section and a foraminous lower section which includes a set of side-by-side arcuate concave grate segments 26 extending the length of the front threshing region and which allow the threshed material to fall by gravity onto a grain collection pan 28 located below for onward conveyance to a grain cleaning system which is designated generally at 30. Guide vanes (not shown) are secured to the inside of the rotor housing and serve, in conjunction with the crop engaging elements on the rotor 22, to convey the stream of crop material in a generally rearward spiral path from front to rear.

The separating region at the rear portion of rotors 22 comprises plural crop engaging elements (not shown) to separate the residual grain from the stream of crop material. A grain return pan 32 is provided underneath the separating region to collect the separated grain and convey it forwardly for delivery onto the grain collection pan 28. Both the collection pan 28 and return pan 32 are driven so as to oscillate in a known manner.

Although described as a rotary axial type, the processor 20 may be of an alternative type such as known conventional, hybrid or transverse types without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the case of a conventional type processor, a transverse cylindrical beater may be provided as threshing apparatus and a set of straw-walkers provided as separating apparatus.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3 the grain cleaning system 30 comprises a fan 34 housed in a fan housing 35. The fan 34 may be of a known type such as a crossflow or centrifugal fan that rotates on a transverse axis and draws in air either tangentially or axially through air intake openings. A cleaning airstream generated by the fan 34 and exhausted from the fan housing 35 is represented in FIG. 3 by arrows ‘X’.

The fan 34 is driven by a fan drive system (not shown) which may derive its power via a mechanical drive coupled to the processor 20. Alternatively, the fan 34 may be driven by a hydraulic or electric motor. In any case, the fan drive system is operable to drive the fan 34 with an adjustable speed determined by a fan speed controller 134 (FIG. 5) that is in communication with the fan drive system.

The grain cleaning system further comprises screening apparatus 36 which includes a shoe frame 37, upper sieve 38 (alternatively referenced ‘chaffer’) and a lower sieve 39. The sieves 38,39 are driven with an oscillating motion in a known manner. The sieves 38,39 are mounted between side members of the shoe frame 37 which is suspended on hangers (not shown) from the frame 12 and driven in an oscillating motion.

The sieves 38,39 each comprise a plurality of transverse louvres which can be adjusted either manually or remotely to adjust the coarseness of the screen provided. The louvres are arranged in a parallel transverse relationship and pivot to adjust the opening or gap between adjacent ones.

The combine 10 comprises a pair of vertical sidewalls 40,41 (FIG. 3) between which the shoe frame 37 and sieves 38,39 are located. The sidewalls 40,41 typically form part of the frame 12.

The threshed material comprising a mixture of grain and MOG is conveyed by the grain collection pan 28 in a rearward direction until it falls from a rear edge 28′ and into the grain cleaning system 30. The cleaning airstream is directed through and over the sieves 38,39 in a known manner so as to lift the lighter material, primarily MOG, away from the surface of upper sieve 38 and in a rearward direction for ejection at a rear outlet 42.

In a known manner, the screening apparatus 36 is operable to allow the clean grain to pass through the sieves 38,39, wherein the clean grain is collected in a transverse clean grain trough 44 and conveyed onwards to an on-board grain tank (not shown). The louvres of upper sieve 38 may be set to allow unthreshed heads to pass through a rear region of the upper sieve 38 into a tailings collection trough 46. Likewise, any material screened out by lower sieve 39 falls from the rear edge thereof into the tailings collection trough 46 from where the ‘returns’ are fed back to the processor 20 or a dedicated rethreshing system (not shown).

A duct 50 is bounded by the sidewalls 40,41, the return pan 32, the clean grain trough 44 and tailings collection trough 46. The duct 50 serves as a channel for the cleaning airstream which is generated at a front end by the fan 34 and exits at the rear outlet 42. The sieves 38,39 are located in the duct 50.

With reference to FIG. 4, an electronic control unit (hereinafter termed ‘ECU’) 101 is provided and is in communication (via a databus) with an operator console 105, a shoe sensing system 130, a concave controller 126, a rotor speed controller 122, a sieve controller 136, and the fan speed controller 134. The ECU 101 comprise control circuitry 102 which may be embodied as custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit or an auxiliary processor among several processors, a semi-conductor based micro-processor (in the form of a micro-chip), a macro processor, one or more applications specific integrated circuits, a plurality of suitably configured digital logic gates, and/or other well-known electrical configurations comprising discrete elements both individually and in various combinations to coordinate the overall operation of the combine 10.

The ECU 101 further comprises memory 103. The memory 103 may include any one of a combination of volatile memory elements and non-volatile memory elements. The memory 103 may store a native operating system, one or more native applications, emulation systems, emulated applications for any of a variety of operating systems and/or emulated hardware platforms, emulated operating systems etc. The memory 103 may be separate from the controller 101 or may be omitted.

The operator console 105 comprises a display 106 which may be integrated as part of a terminal having user interface devices such as buttons, levers and switches. The console 105 is mounted proximate to a drivers work station in the cab 52.

The concave controller 126, rotor speed controller 122, sieve controller 136, and fan speed controller 134 each serve to control adjustments of respective working units of the combine 10 and may each comprise a local standalone processor and/or memory, or may be integrated into the central ECU 101. Control signals generated by the ECU 101 are communicated to the respective working unit controllers 126,122,136,134 which are then translated into an adjustment of the associated working unit including the concave 26, processing rotor 22, sieves 38,39 and fan 34.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3, 5 and 12, the shoe sensing system 130 comprises a first and second ultrasonic transmitters T1, T2, first and second ultrasonic receivers R1,R2, and an impact sensor 54. The transmitters T1,T2 and receivers R1,R2 are mounted onto a common sensing module 55 which is mounted above a front region of the upper sieve 38.

The first transmitter T1 is located approximately midway between the sidewalls 40,41 and faces in a generally rearward or downstream direction with respect to the cleaning airstream. The receivers R1,R2 are mounted in a transversely spaced relationship to respective sides of the first transmitter T1 on the sensing module 55. The receivers R1,R2 also face in a generally rearward or downstream direction with respect to the cleaning airstream so as to be protected from impact from the airborne MOG and grain carried by the airstream.

The second transmitter T2 is spaced rearwardly (or downstream) of the receivers R1,R2 on the module 55, and faces in a generally forward or upstream direction with respect to the cleaning airstream. In other words, the second transmitter T2 generally faces the receivers R1,R2.

It should be understood that the transmitters T1,T2 and the receivers R1,R2 may be mounted independently from one another without sharing a common module or mounting component. For example, in an alternative embodiment the receivers R1,R2 may be mounted to the sidewalls 40,41 whilst the first transmitter T1 is mounted above the upper sieve 38. Digressing from the first embodiment, alternative embodiments having different arrangements for the transmitters and receivers are shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a cleaning system 230 wherein a sensor module 252 is mounted to the underside of the return pan 32 in a front region of the duct. A transmitter T1′ is mounted to the module 255 and is configured to transmit a first ultrasonic base signal S_(1′) in a generally downstream direction through the duct 50.

FIG. 10 shows a top-down view of another cleaning system 330 wherein sensor modules 352 are mounted to the side frame members of the shoe frame 37. Again, the sensor modules 355 support at least a first ultrasonic transmitter T1″ for transmitting a ultrasonic base signal S_(1″) in a generally downstream direction through the duct 50.

FIG. 11 shows a top-down view of yet another cleaning system 430 wherein a sensing module 452 is mounted above the upper sieve 38 in a front region of the duct 50. In this example the second transmitter T2 of the first embodiment is omitted. Third and fourth ultrasonic receivers R3,R4 are mounted to the module and arranged to face in a generally upstream direction so as to face the output of the first transmitter T1 whilst being spaced therefrom. Third and fourth receivers R3,R4 serve to receive and transduce a modified signal in the phase shift mode of operation which will be described in more detail later on.

Turning back to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the impact sensor 54 is mounted in the duct 50 above the upper sieve 38 and has an impact-sensing surface 54′ that faces upstream with respect to the cleaning airstream, that is in the direction of arrow F. The impact sensor 54 is located in an upper zone of the duct 50 spaced above the upper sieve 38, the upper zone extending upwards from midway between upper sieve 38 and the underside of the return pan 32.

In operation, the cleaning airstream velocity v_(a) is ideally of a sufficient magnitude and direction to lift the MOG away from the upper sieve 38 whilst still allowing the grain-rich material to settle thereon. The fan speed ω_(f) significantly influences the airstream velocity v_(a). However, the speed and direction of the cleaning airstream exhausted from the fan housing 35 (arrows X) is typically modified somewhat by the geometry of the screening apparatus 36 and by the crop material present in the airstream path. As such the cleaning airstream velocity v_(a) flowing above the screening apparatus 36 (indicated by arrows X′) differs substantially to that exhausted by fan 34 and varies as the state of the grain cleaning system changes during operation.

The invention involves the recognition that the airstream velocity v_(a) above the screening apparatus provides a more accurate representation of the effectiveness of the grain cleaning system 30 at a given time. Moreover, the speed and direction of the MOG and any grain in the cleaning airstream represents the effectiveness of the cleaning airstream. Aspects of the invention exploit the physical properties of acoustic wave propagation in a moving medium and the Doppler effect to measure the state of the airborne grain and MOG within the duct 50 and of the cleaning airstream. Another aspect of the invention exploits the physical relationship between kinetic energy, mass and velocity to determine the mass of the airborne material flowing through the duct 50.

Values representing at least one of the airstream velocity v_(a), the particle velocities v_(p), and the particle mass m_(p) are determined and used as an input in the generation of control signals to control the fan 34, the opening of the sieves 38,39, and/or upstream processing systems such as the processor 20 and associated settings. For example, the speed of fan 34 may be adjusted to obtain the optimal air and particle velocity in order to reduce grain loss and MOG separation in the upper and lower sieves 38,39.

The inventive aspects of the combine harvester 10 will be described in turn below. It should be appreciated that, although disclosed in a single embodiment in an integrated manner, the aspects may by implemented and operate independently of one another in alternative embodiments that are not described.

Doppler Mode

With reference to FIG. 3, first transmitter T1 is operable to transmit a first base signal S_(B1) in the form of an ultrasonic wave having a frequency f_(B1) through the space above the screening apparatus 36 in a generally rearward direction. The first base signal S_(B1) is transmitted as a sine wave having a frequency of f_(B1) which may to the order of 40 kHz for example. FIG. 6 shows a plot of first base signal S_(B1).

In the Doppler mode of operation the second transmitter T2 (which is capable of transmitting a second base signal S_(B2)) is inactive or at least redundant.

Airborne MOG M and grain G is depicted in FIG. 3 and is representative of a mix of MOG and grain in a grain cleaning system in operation. Although the particles of MOG M and grain G move in a generally rearward direction, they may be caused to move at a tangent to a longitudinal path due to irregular airflow or blockages for example. Arrow z shows the direction of travel of MOG particle M₁.

Taken as a snapshot in time in one example FIG. 3 shows first receiver R1 receiving a first reflected signal S_(R1) which is a portion of transmitted base wave S_(B1) reflected off of MOG particle M₁. At the same instant second receiver R2 receives a second reflected signal S_(R2) which is another portion of transmitted base wave S_(B1) reflected off of MOG particle M₁. The reflected signals S_(R1),S_(R2) have a frequency f_(R1),f_(R2) respectively and are also plotted in FIG. 6.

The movement of the piece of MOG M₁ with respect to the receivers R1,R2 and with respect to the transmitter T1 causes, due to the Doppler effect, a frequency shift between the first base signal S_(B1) and the reflected signals S_(R1),S_(R2). The frequency shifts, hereinafter referred to as the Doppler frequencies f_(D1),f_(D2), are proportional to the particle velocity v_(p1),v_(p2) of the particle with respect to the two receivers R1,R2.

With reference to FIG. 6, the time taken for five complete cycles for each of the first base signal S_(B1), and the two reflected signals S_(R1),S_(R2) is indicated as t_(B1), t_(R1), t_(R2) respectively. It can be seen that the frequency f_(R2) of the second reflected signal S_(R2) is less than that of the base signal frequency f_(B1). The frequency f_(R1) of the first reflected signal S_(R1) is less than that of the second reflected signal f_(R2). Looking at the direction of MOG particle M1 (arrow z), the movement away from the receivers R1, R2 and the Doppler effect causes the observed (reflected) frequency to reduce with respect to the base frequency f_(B).

The ECU 101 receives the transduced signals S_(R1),S_(R2) from the receivers R1,R2. The ECU 101 then modulates the frequency f_(B1) of the first base signal S_(B1) together with the frequencies f_(R1),f_(R2) of the reflected signals S_(R1),S_(R2) to determine a first and second particle velocity values v_(p1),v_(p2) which represent the speed of the particle (MOG particle M1 in this example) with respect to the receivers R1,R2. The particle velocity v_(p) with respect to the receiver R1 or R2 can be calculated as follows:

$v_{p} = {\frac{\left( {f_{R} - f_{B}} \right)}{f_{B}}c}$

wherein f_(B) is the frequency of the transmitted base signal, f_(R) is the frequency of the reflected signal, and c is the speed of the ultrasonic wave. In one worked example for one receiver wherein f_(B)=40 kHz, f_(R)=41 kHz, and c=340 m/s, the particle velocity is 8.5 m/s.

Using triangulation principals and the particle velocity values associated with the two receivers R1,R2, the ECU may calculate a particle velocity tangent for the piece of MOG M₁ which includes direction information.

In operation many thousands of MOG and grain particles flow through the duct 50 and the reflected signals S_(R1),S_(R2) will be representative of a distribution of reflection events. As such, the ECU may serve to calculate a mean particle speed and tangent which is representative of all airborne particles that can be sensed.

Due to the nature of the airborne material (which will depend on harvested crop and current conditions) multiple groups of particles having similar properties may cause discrete groups of Doppler frequencies to be detected by the ECU 101. In one example the airborne grain G may travel with a different velocity to the airborne MOG M resulting in two discrete Doppler frequency ‘spikes’ being detected. In one embodiment the ECU 101 serves to resolve the multiple spikes and determine a grain velocity value v_(G) and a MOG velocity value v_(M). These values may serve as individual input parameters in the generation of control signals and may be weighted so that, for example, the MOG velocity value v_(M) has a greater effect on a fan speed adjustment command than the grain velocity value v_(G). [Is this explanation ok?]

In summary of the Doppler mode, the sensing device 55 has a first ultrasonic transmitter T1 which is adapted to transmit the first base signal S_(B1) with a frequency f_(B1). The airborne grain G and MOG M within the duct 50 of the grain cleaning system 30 reflect portions of the first base signal S_(B1) causing reflected signals SR having a frequency f_(R), wherein the reflected signals are detected by spaced-apart receivers R1,R2. The ECU is configured to modulate the first base signal S_(B1) and the reflected signals S_(R1),S_(R2) to obtain Doppler signals or frequencies from which an average particle velocity v_(p) is determined. The particle velocity v_(p) is used as an input parameter for the generation of control signals for the adjustment of various working units of the combine 10 including, by way of example, the fan and sieves.

One embodiment of the Doppler mode of operation is shown in the method of operating a combine represented by the process flow of FIG. 8.

Phase Shift Mode

With reference to FIG. 3, second transmitter T2 is operable to transmit a second base signal S_(B2) in the form of an ultrasonic wave having a frequency f_(B2) through the space above the screening apparatus 36 in a generally forward direction. The second base signal S_(B2) is transmitted as a sine wave having a frequency of f_(B2) which may to the order of 40 kHz for example. FIG. 7 shows a plot of second base signal S_(B2).

In the phase shift mode of operation the first transmitter T1 is inactive or at least redundant. However, it should be appreciated the Doppler mode and the phase shift mode may operate concurrently in one embodiment, wherein the first transmitter T1 may be active during the phase shift mode.

The phase shift mode serves to measure the airstream velocity v_(a) and use this measurement to generate a control signal for adjusting one or more of the working units. The propagation of ultrasonic waves through a medium is affected by movement of that medium. This signal modification is exploited by measuring the extent to which the second base signal S_(B2) is phase shifted by movement of the cleaning airstream between two fixed points, the phase shift measurement then being used to determine the airstream velocity v_(a). As with the Doppler mode explained above, taking multiple measurements at different angles and using triangulation principals allows a directional component of the airstream to be determined.

The second transmitter T2 is spaced rearwardly (or downstream) of the receivers R1,R2 on the module 55, and faces in a generally forward or upstream direction with respect to the cleaning airstream. In other words, the second transmitter T2 generally faces the receivers R1,R2. The second base signal S_(B2) is transmitted by second transmitter T2 and is received and transduced by the first and second receivers R1,R2. The second base signal S_(B2) is modified by phase-shifting as it passes through the cleaning airstream between the second transmitter T2 and the receivers R1,R2. The extent of phase-shift φ is dependent upon the airstream velocity v_(a).

Taken as a snapshot in time in one example FIG. 3 shows first receiver R1 receiving a first modified signal S_(M1) which is a modified portion of transmitted base wave S_(B2). At the same instant second receiver R2 receives a second modified signal S_(M2) which is another modified portion of transmitted base wave S_(B2). The modified signals S_(M1),S_(M2) have a phase shift value φ₁,φ₂ compared to second base wave S_(B2) and are also plotted in FIG. 7.

The ECU 101 receives the transduced signals S_(M1),S_(M2) from the receivers R1,R2. The ECU 101 then determines the phase shift values φ₁,φ₂ with respect to the phase of the second base signal S_(B2) to determine first and second airstream velocity values v_(a1),v_(a2) which represent the airstream velocity along the line of sight between the second transmitter T2 and the respective receivers R1,R2.

Using triangulation principals and the airstream velocity components v_(a1),v_(a2) with respect to the two receivers R1,R2, the ECU calculates an airstream velocity tangent ϕ which includes direction information. With reference to FIG. 13 the individual airstream velocity components are calculated as

${v_{a\; 1} = \frac{d_{1}}{f_{d1}}}{v_{a\; 2} = \frac{d_{2}}{t_{d\; 2}}}$

wherein d is the distance between the second transmitter T2 and receivers R1,R2, and t is the measured propagation delay from transmitter to receiver. Having obtained the individual airstream components v_(a1),v_(a2) the speed v_(a) and direction ϕ of the airstream can be obtained solving to two equations

v _(a1)=cos(θ−ϕ_(a))v _(a)

v _(a2)=cos(−θ−ϕ_(a))v _(a).

The calculated airstream velocity values v_(a) is utilised by the ECU as an input parameter for the generation of control signals that serve to command adjustments of the various working units 105,122,126,134,136 shown connected to the databus in FIG. 4. For example, in one embodiment the airstream velocity value v_(a) is an input parameter for a fan speed control algorithm which is executed locally by the fan speed controller 134 or the ECU 101, wherein the control algorithm operates a negative feedback loop such that the speed of fan 34 is increased when the airstream velocity value v_(a) falls below a fan speed set point.

One embodiment of the phase shift mode of operation is shown in the method of operating a combine represented by the process flow of FIG. 8.

The above-described embodiment of the phase shift mode shares the same pair of receivers R1,R2 as utilised for the Doppler mode but employs a second transmitter T2 to generate a second base signal S_(B2). In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a second pair of receivers R3,R4 are provided for implementation of the phase-shift mode. The third and fourth receivers R3,R4 are spaced downstream (rearwardly) of the sole transmitter T1 and face upstream so as to face the transmitter T1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, a base signal S_(B1) transmitted by the transmitter T1 is modified by phase shifting by the movement of the cleaning airstream before detection by the receivers R3,R4. In a similar manner as described above, the ECU 101 receives transduced signals S_(M1),S_(M2) from the receivers R3,R4. The ECU 101 then modulates phase shift values φ₁,φ₂ with respect to the phase of the base signal S_(B1) to determine first and second airstream velocity values v_(a1),v_(a2) which represent the airstream velocity along the line of sight between the first transmitter T1 and the respective receivers R3,R4.

Although first and second receivers R1,R2 are shown in FIG. 11, these are provided for implementation of the Doppler mode. It should be understood that the phase shift mode may be implemented independently of the Doppler mode and, as such, the first and second receivers R1,R2 may be omitted.

In summary of the phase shift mode, an ultrasonic sensing device has a transmitter T2 and at least one receiver R1,R2 spaced from the transmitter T2. The transmitter T2 transmits a base signal S_(B2) towards the at least one receiver R1,R2, the base signal S_(B2) being modified in the form of a phase shift φ as it passes through a cleaning airstream in the duct 50 of the grain cleaning system 30. The receivers R1,R2 are configured to receive and transduce modified signals S_(M1),S_(M2) which are modified portions of the base signal S_(B2). The ECU 101 generates control signals for adjustment of one or more working units, wherein the control signals are based upon a phase shift value φ₁,φ₂ associated with the modified signals S_(M1),S_(M2) with respect to the phase of the base signal S_(B2).

Impact Detection Mode

In another mode of operation (which may operate concurrently or independently of the Doppler mode and phase shift mode described above) the impact sensor 54 is used to transduce impact events caused by the airborne particles striking the impact-sensing surface 54′ and generate impact signals Y_(k) therefrom. The ECU 101 is configured to then generate control signals based upon particle energy values E_(k) that are determined from the impact signals Y_(k).

The right-hand side of the process flow in FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the impact detection mode.

Estimation of MOG Throughput Q_(M)

Determination of a particle velocity v_(p) using the Doppler mode has been described above, wherein the MOG velocity v_(M) may be determined separately from the grain velocity v_(G). Determination of an airstream velocity v_(a) using the phase shift mode has also been described above. Determination of particle energy values E_(k) using the impact detection mode has been described above.

The above modes of operation may be used independently or in combination to determine physical parameters that are representative of the state of the grain cleaning system 30 at any one time including particle velocity v_(p) (which may be resolved to MOG particle velocity v_(M) and/or grain particle velocity v_(G)), airstream velocity v_(a), and particle (kinetic) energy E_(k). The physical relationships between these parameters are utilised by control algorithms for the working units that are executed locally or by the ECU 101, wherein a subset of the available parameters are provided as inputs to the algorithms.

Knowledge of MOG throughput (or load) Q_(M) at a given time is advantageous in the automatic control or adjustment of some work units including the fan 34 and sieves 38,39. In various embodiments a value representing MOG throughput Q_(M) is determined by the ECU 101 by utilising one or more of the values determined from the Doppler mode, phase shift mode and impact detection mode. Some of these embodiments are described below.

In one embodiment the physical effect on airstream velocity v_(a) and/or particle velocity v_(p) caused by the MOG throughput Q_(M) is exploited to determine a value for MOG throughput Q_(M) (in tons per hour for example), based on the theoretical energy E_(k) in each particle:

E _(k)=1/2m _(p) v _(p) ²

wherein m_(p) is the particle mass.

Thus the dissipated power from MOG throughput Q_(M) may be calculated by the ECU 101 following a polynomial:

$Q_{M} = {\frac{A}{v_{M}^{2}} + \frac{B}{v_{a}^{2}}}$

wherein A and B are constants, v_(M) is the MOG particle velocity determined by the Doppler mode, v_(a) is the airstream velocity determined by the phase shift mode.

In another embodiment the physical relationship between the particle impact energy E_(k), the particle mass m_(p), and the particle velocity v_(p) is built into a control algorithm to determine the particle mass m_(p) and hence the throughput Q. The impact energy values E_(k) are proportional to the mass m_(p) of the particles striking the impact sensor 54 which generates a sensor signal Y_(k) which represents the dissipated power from E_(k) over a given time period, and the square of the particle velocity v_(p).

Y_(k) ∝ m_(p)v_(p)² $m_{p} \propto \frac{Y_{k}}{v_{p}^{2}}$

The MOG throughput Q_(M) is proportional to mass per unit time (kg/s or ton/hour). In one embodiment an estimation of the MOG throughput Q_(M) is made by measuring the impact energy E_(k) and the particle velocity v_(p). The particle energy value E_(k) is determined using the impact sensor 54.

In summary there is provided an ultrasonic sensing device which has a transmitter which is adapted to transmit a base signal through a cleaning airstream in a grain cleaning system. The base signal is modified by movement of the cleaning airstream creating a modified signal that is detected by spaced-apart receivers. An ECU is configured to process the received modified signals and determine a phase shift vale from a base signal parameter and a modified signal parameter. The phase shift value is used as an input parameter for the generation of an airstream velocity value and control signals for the adjustment of various working units of a combine including, by way of example, a fan and sieves.

Aspects of the invention have been described that exploit various physical characteristics of airborne particles carried in a cleaning airstream and the physical interaction of those particles with acoustic waves and sensors to indirectly determine physical properties of those particles. Those properties then serve as input parameters for control algorithms used to control adjustment of various working units in the grain cleaning system.

From reading the present disclosure, other modification will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involve other features which are already known in the field of grain cleaning systems, component parts, and automatic setting systems therefore, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein. 

1. A grain cleaning system comprising: screening apparatus having a duct and a sieve disposed in the duct; a fan arranged to generate a cleaning airstream through the duct; an ultrasonic sensing device having comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit a base signal through the cleaning airstream; and a receiver spaced from the transmitter and configured to receive and transduce a modified signal that comprises a modified portion of the base signal and; an electronic control unit (ECU) that is in communication with the sensing device, wherein the ECU is configured to generate control signals based upon a phase shift value which is determined from a parameter of the base signal and a parameter of the modified signal.
 2. The grain cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the sensing device is positioned at least partially in a path of the cleaning airstream.
 3. The grain cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the base signal in an upstream direction with respect to the cleaning airstream.
 4. The grain cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the sieve is coupled to an oscillating drive mechanism, wherein the fan is located at an upstream end of the sieve, and wherein the cleaning airstream is directed through and/or over the sieve.
 5. The grain cleaning system of claim 4, wherein the duct comprises: a pair of sidewalls between which the sieve is located; a ceiling; and a floor.
 6. The grain cleaning system according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the sensing device is mounted to one of the sidewalls.
 7. The grain cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the sensing device is positioned above the sieve.
 8. The grain cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the ECU is configured to determine a velocity value of the airstream from the phase shift value.
 9. The grain cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are mounted together in a common sensing module.
 10. The grain cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the sensing device further comprises a second receiver spaced from the receiver, wherein each of the receiver and second receiver is configured to transduce a respective modified signal and each comprising a respective modified portion of the base signal, wherein the ECU is configured to determine first and second phase shift values each based upon the base frequency and the respective modified signal, and wherein the ECU is further configured to determine an air velocity tangent from the first and second phase shift values.
 11. The grain cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to transduce a signal reflected off of airborne particles in the cleaning airstream, and wherein the ECU is configured to generate a value for the particle velocity from a Doppler frequency which is determined from a frequency of the base signal and a frequency of the reflected signal.
 12. The grain cleaning system of claim 11, wherein the sensing device further comprises a second transmitter configured to transmit a second base signal, wherein the Doppler frequency is determined from the base signal frequency, and wherein the phase shift parameter is calculated from a signal comprising a modified portion of the second base signal.
 13. The grain cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the ECU is configured to determine a material throughput value based upon a particle velocity value, an airstream velocity value and a fan speed value, wherein the particle velocity value and the airstream velocity value are based upon signals received by the sensing device.
 14. The grain cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the control signals control a speed of the fan.
 15. The grain cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the control signals control an opening adjustment of the sieve.
 16. A combine harvester comprising the grain cleaning system of claim
 1. 17. The combine harvester of claim 16, further comprising threshing apparatus and separating apparatus located upstream to the grain cleaning system with respect to crop material flow.
 18. The combine harvester of claim 17, further comprising a grain return pan positioned below the separating apparatus and providing a ceiling of the duct, wherein at least a part of the sensing device is mounted to the ceiling.
 19. The combine harvester of claim 16, wherein the control signals control one of a concave adjustment and a rotor speed.
 20. The combine harvester of claim 16, further comprising a display device that is in communication with the ECU and configured to display a representation of a velocity of the cleaning airstream based upon the phase shift value.
 21. A method of controlling a combine harvester having a plurality of working units including a grain cleaning system, the method comprising: transmitting an ultrasonic base signal through a cleaning airstream which passes through the grain cleaning system; receiving and transducing a modified signal comprising a modified portion of a base signal; determining a phase shift value from a parameter of the base signal and a parameter of the modified signal; generating a control signal based upon the phase shift value; and controlling a work setting of at least one of the working units based upon the control signal. 